Tension escalated in Kolkata’s busy Esplanade area as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Left parties’ youth and student wings jointly held a rally protesting the NEET exam paper leak. The situation turned chaotic with clashes between protesters and police, who faced bottles, bricks, and shoes thrown at them. The rally, starting near Dorin Crossing and moving towards Rani Rashmoni Road, was met with police resistance.
A significant procession took over Kolkata’s main streets, initiated by Left student groups demanding exam transparency and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The rally, which later included CJP supporters, led to confrontations with security forces resorting to baton-charges and teargas shells. The area witnessed traffic disruptions and tensions, with no official statement on arrests available at the time of reporting.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned against unruly behavior during the rally, emphasizing zero tolerance for anti-social activities or anti-national slogans. Initially planning a separate protest, CJP joined the Left parties’ rally after being denied police permission, culminating in the chaotic scenes at Esplanade.
